In 1993 Greg Mortenson was the exhausted survivor of a failed attempt to ascend K2, an American climbing bum wandering emaciated and lost through Pakistan's Karakoram Himalaya. After he was taken in and nursed back to health by the people of an impoverished Pakistani village, Mortenson promised to return one day and build them a school. From that rash, earnest promise grew one of the most incredible humanitarian campaigns of our time: Greg Mortenson's one-man mission to counteract extremism by building schools, especially for girls, throughout the breeding ground of the Taliban.

Your Likes make Audible better!

Publisher's Summary

In 1993 Greg Mortenson was the exhausted survivor of a failed attempt to ascend K2, an American climbing bum wandering emaciated and lost through Pakistan's Karakoram Himalaya. After he was taken in and nursed back to health by the people of an impoverished Pakistani village, Mortenson promised to return one day and build them a school. From that rash, earnest promise grew one of the most incredible humanitarian campaigns of our time: Greg Mortenson's one-man mission to counteract extremism by building schools, especially for girls, throughout the breeding ground of the Taliban.

Award-winning journalist David Oliver Relin has collaborated on this spellbinding account of Mortenson's incredible accomplishments in a region where Americans are often feared and hated. In pursuit of his goal, Mortenson has survived kidnapping, fatwas issued by enraged mullahs, repeated death threats, and wrenching separations from his wife and children. But his success speaks for itself. At last count, his Central Asia Institute had built 55 schools. Three Cups of Tea is at once an unforgettable adventure and the inspiring true story of how one man really is changing the world, one school at a time.

What the Critics Say

"Three Cups of Tea is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time....Not only a thrilling read, it's proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world." (Tom Brokaw)

I’ve read a lot of books from Audible. Few have hit me in the gut like this book does. Greg Mortenson is really an amazing person – and the story in this book, I think, will make even the most outgoing and philanthropic person feel humble. I honestly can’t think of anyone who has given as much of himself to help others. I would agree with the folks who have said this guy is in line for a Nobel Peace prize. Still, with all that aside, the STORY told here is just as captivating as the man and his work.

I hate when I read an audible review and it gives away the ending, etc., so I’ll try not to do that here. That said, Mortenson risks his life and struggles through very hard times to educate children in remote parts of the world. He learns, adjusts and perseveres. The resulting successes are inspiring for anyone who has wanted to do something to help others. The book will make you feel that you should try to climb K2 tomorrow. The story is timely, too. Had Greg worked to build schools, educate children and provide to those in need off in sub-Saharan Africa the book would still have been an amazing read. But against the backdrop of Afghanistan, Bin Ladin and the Taliban, and in the historical context of the book (starting well before 9-11 and ending during our modern day situation in Iraq) the Mortenson story has a lot to teach us all about this remote part of the world.

I *want* Mortenson's stories to be true, and I enjoyed listening to this book. But after learning that he has most likely fabricated many of his stories, I now have no confidence in which parts of his stories are true, and which are false.

Not sure about some of the comments referencing slowness or bad narration. I was sucked into it right away and thought the narration was fine. Listen to the sample and see what you think.

The story itself is well-written, and as others have written, it is truly a remarkable reality that the subject of the story is creating. But the best part of the book for me is that it shows HOW Greg ended up doing what he is doing, and HOW he has accomplished his goal(s). For any entrepreneur, socially conscience person, anyone who wants to make the world (or even his/ her neighborhood) a better place, this book shows you how to do it.

If I had read a book like this in high school rather than Shakespeare, I would have learned to love to read much earlier in life and I would have thought about what I could do to make the world a better place a long time before I actually did.

For the entrepreneur, this book is much more useful than any "business book."

I really enjoyed Three Cups of Tea. The story of Greg Mortenson's life building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan was inspiring and real. I usually feel that stories of people doing great things like this are too romanticized and don't tell the whole story, but this was not the case in this book. The story keeps you listening, it never fades into overly intricate detail. The other people in the story are humanized and not just flat extras. I would highly recommend this book.

Would you try another book from Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin and/or Patrick Lawlor?

Now knowing that Mortenson likely made up key portions of the book I'm sad that I wasted a credit on this 'nonfiction' title. I think Audible should give credit back to anyone who wasted it on this. Too bad, too, because it's a really good story...if only it were true.

Has Three Cups of Tea turned you off from other books in this genre?

I'll do more research before I take someone at their word that the work is nonfiction.

What about Patrick Lawlor’s performance did you like?

He was good. No complaints with the narration/performance.

Do you think Three Cups of Tea needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes. Greg Mortenson needs to come clean and tell the millions of people who read Three Cups of Tea what is and isn't true.

I first read a hard copy of this book a couple of months ago. I loved it!! I decided I had to buy it in audio so I could share it with my pre teen son. It would have been too challenging for him to read the book on his own. We have listened to the book in the car and at home.
My son loved this story. It has it all. An adventure, a misunderstood culture, and humanitarian efforts all rolled up into a true story for our times. What a great teaching tool for tolerance and compassion. I am so glad my son and I could share this story together and broaden our perspective on a topic that we need to understand in today's world. It's a total must read.

I listened to this book as part of a self-imposed curriculum as I get ready to deploy to Afghanistan. This book demonstrates the tools we should be using in our fight against terrorism. Greg Mortinson is an amazing man. He is fearless, selfless, and ingenious. He loves the people he helps, and in return they love him back, and by extension love America. This book has given me much to think about with what I want to do with my time over there.

As a member of the US Army, I had to stop and digest his criticisms about how we are prosecuting the war. But in the end, he is not wrong. But the good news is that now, several years after the close of this book, we have come to understand the vision that Mr. Mortenson expresses.

Your report has been received. It will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

Can't wait to hear more from this listener?

You can now follow your favorite reviewers on Audible.

When you follow another listener, we'll highlight the books they review, and even email* you a copy of any new reviews they write. You can un-follow a listener at any time to stop receiving their updates.

* If you already opted out of emails from Audible you will still get review emails by the listeners you follow.